Rep. Mary Dye’s Behavior During Teen Lobby Day

Share This

“Teen Council is a national peer education program, facilitated by Planned Parenthood of Greater Washington and North Idaho (PPGWNI). Teen Council fosters teen and young adult leaders by providing a trusted platform for youth to access comprehensive, accurate sexual health education, cultivate their leadership and presentation skills, and to openly discuss sexual health, relationship, and social issues they and their peers may be facing. Teen Council programs empower teens and young adults to take control of their reproductive health so they can make informed, healthy choices- to plan their futures and achieve their dreams.”

“PPGWNI Teen Council peer educators – which represent communities in Yakima, Spokane and the Palouse – join with many other youth groups and organizations and travel to Olympia each year for Teen Lobby Day. Teen Council advocates meet with their legislators to discuss state policies impacting sexual health education programs, family planning services, access to birth control/contraception, and reproductive rights.”

“Yesterday, when Rep. Mary Dye met with Teen Council Members from the Palouse region – her constituents – she behaved in a deeply disturbing and disrespectful way, attempting to shame the teens and make severely harmful judgements towards these young advocates.”

“Rep. Dye’s remarks to these young people were meant to perpetuate hateful and harmful stigmas against women and reproductive health. Stigmas that promote hate, violence, and policies that strip women’s rights and personal dignity. Thankfully, this group of teen advocates are resilient, bright, informed people and did not take these comments to heart.”

“All constituents would expect to be welcomed respectfully by their legislators in Olympia. The Teen Council members should be no different, especially as they spent a significant amount of time preparing for these meetings, and traveled over 650 miles round-trip across the state to meet with their representatives.”

“While Rep. Dye claims she has apologized, To be clear, she has not contacted Planned Parenthood of Greater Washington and North Idaho.”

###

PPGWNI is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization with health centers located in Ellensburg, Kennewick, Pasco, Pullman, Spokane (2 locations), Spokane Valley, Sunnyside, Walla Walla, and Yakima as well as an express health center in Wapato. PPGWNI exists to provide exceptional reproductive and complementary health care services, honest education, and fearless advocacy for all. Call 1-866-904-7721 or visit www.ppgwni.org for more information.